Tikka Ace Target: The Best Competition Rifle Under $2,000 (Full Review)

Particularly in disciplines like NRL Hunter, aggressive shooters are turning to Tikka’s T3x platform, swapping out the manufacturing unit inventory for a chassis, and hitting the circuit. Tikka has taken discover of this development, and their new line of Ace rifles is designed to offer shooters an out-of-the-box possibility without having for a inventory swap.

I feel they’re onto one thing. So long as this take a look at rifle isn’t an outlier, the Ace has a shot to turn out to be the most effective manufacturing unit competitors rifles in the marketplace as we speak.

The Goal mannequin I obtained from our associates at Scheels was chambered in .308 Winchester and featured an all-black chassis and 23.6-inch barrel. The Goal can also be obtainable in .223 Rem. and 6.5 Creedmoor, and all three chamberings will be had with a black or tan chassis. The barrel on the .223 Rem. mannequin measures 23.6 inches, however the .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor can be found with 23.6- or 26-inch barrels, so you’ll be able to match the barrel size to your muzzle brake or suppressor setup.

That is the Goal model of the Ace.

The Recreation model of the Ace is designed with hunters in thoughts. It contains a slimmer profile, fluted barrel, a shorter handguard, and a smaller, extra flush becoming journal. Weighing between 8.8 and 9.3 kilos unloaded, it’s nonetheless on the heavier aspect for a looking rifle. Nevertheless it may be the right looking/competitors crossover, supplied that slimmer barrel can deal with lengthy shot strings. It’s being supplied in 223 Rem., 22-250 Rem., 7mm Rem. Magazine., 308 Win., 300 Win. Magazine., 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and 7mm PRC.

The Ace Recreation is lighter and contains a fluted barrel and shorter handguard.

The value for a Tikka Ace ranges between $1,700 and $2,000. That’s a pleasant chunk of change, nevertheless it’s simple to spend twice that on a rifle with comparable options and efficiency. It’s a must to resolve for your self whether or not the Ace is value it, however I might say Tikka’s value is completely honest primarily based on the opposite choices in the marketplace.

Listed here are extra specs for the mannequin I utilized in my testing:

Cartridge: .308 Winchester

General Weight: 10.4 lbs.

Set off: Two-stage, adjustable

There’s one thing utilitarian concerning the all-aluminum Ace chassis, nevertheless it consists of all of the options you may want on a contest rifle.

Beginning on the rear, the buttstock has a easy mechanism for adjusting the comb that doesn’t require any instruments to function: you merely rotate the wheel to the specified place, press the button, and the comb pops as much as the pre-set peak. The unit seems to be sturdy and well-built, and the comb by no means slipped or moved all through the course of my testing.

The recoil pad will be adjusted vertically and horizontally utilizing a single screw, and the size of pull will be diminished by eradicating the 2 inventory spacers that include the rifle. The pistol grip can also be adjustable. One grip screw adjusts the angle whereas the opposite permits it to be moved forwards and backwards. This enables customers to maximise consolation and modify the grip relying on capturing place or hand measurement.

Talking of consolation, the Ace additionally contains a small publish designed to permit shooters to relaxation their thumb alongside the aspect of the receiver. This publish will be rotated to a few completely different positions or moved to the opposite aspect of the rifle.

Persevering with our march down the size of the inventory, the journal properly contains a strong and aggressively textured barricade cease. The magazine properly itself solely accepts Tikka’s proprietary 5 or 10 spherical magazines, although you’ll be able to swap out magazine wells if you wish to use the T3x metallic or polymer magazines or (for some motive) the T1x rimfire magazines.

The magazine properly is, in my view, one of many solely large misses on the Ace chassis system. Most aftermarket chassis can settle for ACIS magazines, and most hunters and aggressive shooters have already got a field of them. I’ve heard that Tikka plans to launch an ACIS-compatible journal properly, nevertheless it looks like they need to have gone with that out of the gate.

They did launch a set of equipment that can be utilized with the Tikka Ace chassis, together with a bagrider and weights for the inventory, and weights and an higher rail for the handguard. There are additionally two completely different handguard lengths and colours that may be bought individually if, for instance, you purchase the Ace Recreation however wish to use the longer guard that comes with the Goal mannequin.

The handguard itself options M-LOK slots on the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions and an ARCA rail alongside the size, which permits for simple attachment to a bipod or tripod.

General, whereas the Ace chassis might not be appropriate with among the extra widespread aftermarket equipment, it’s nonetheless a well-built, feature-rich system. Plus, it’s appropriate with present T3x or T1x rifles, so you should purchase an Ace Goal for competitors and swap in a lighter barreled motion for the sector.

The chassis is thoughtfully designed, however how does the rifle shoot? In a phrase, nice.

I had no points feeding or extracting whereas working the T3x motion. I single-load after I take a look at for a bolt gun for accuracy, however I attempt to take time to run it shortly to verify I don’t uncover any biking points. (As a aspect word, it’s vital to check this whether or not you’re looking or capturing competitively–the sector or a match isn’t the time to find your gun can’t feed the ammo you’re utilizing.)

I’m happy to report that the Ace Goal ran by all three ammo/bullet sorts with out a lot as a hiccup. The bolt is easy, and it stripped every cartridge from the 10-round journal with out subject. The Sako-style extractor and spring-loaded ejector additionally functioned flawlessly as they ripped spent circumstances from the chamber and tossed them to the aspect.

The bolt options twin lugs and an oversize polymer knob with a 70-degree throw. This, mixed with the general smoothness of the motion, made it simple to function the gun shortly, as you’ll in a match.

The 2-stage set off is adjustable through an adjustment screw that may be accessed by eradicating the receiver from the chassis. Mine got here from the manufacturing unit set at precisely three kilos, and I had no complaints about it as I examined the rifle by a number of vary periods. It’s clear, constant, and can assist somewhat than hinder making a very good shot.

I examined for accuracy at 100 yards utilizing a Sig Sauer TANGO-DMR (5-30×56) mounted to the built-in 20-MOA rail. I examined three completely different bullets and two completely different weights, and I shot 5, five-shot teams with every. As you’ll be able to see, the Ace Goal (as with most rifles) prefers some load combos over others.

The outcomes with the Accubond have been a bit disappointing, however I used to be blown away by the GameKing and OTM bullets. I’ve examined dozens of rifles in .308 Win., and this can be essentially the most correct manufacturing unit rifle I’ve ever shot. I do know the .308 will be correct, however my restricted success with that cartridge is what satisfied me to change to the 6.5 Creedmoor. The Tikka Ace Goal has me desirous about switching again.

The Ace Goal retained its point-of-impact persistently from group to group in addition to throughout lengthy shot strings. As you’ll be able to see within the picture above, the center, top-left, top-right, and bottom-left teams all landed a few half-inch left of the purpose of purpose. If I had shot all 20 photographs on the similar bull’s eye, they’d have ripped a single, ragged gap with a diameter of roughly 0.75 inches. The final group, the one on the bottom-right, shifted just because I adjusted the scope to attempt to middle the group on the bull’s eye (clearly, both I tousled that adjustment or the scope didn’t observe correctly).

The heavy barrel maintains a constant level of influence even because it heats up.

What’s extra, the ultimate three teams (top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right) have been all shot with out permitting the barrel to chill. A contest rifle ought to keep its level of influence even because the barrel heats up throughout a stage. The Tikka Ace Goal dealt with that take a look at with none hassle, and I wouldn’t fear about POI shifts throughout a 10- or 5-round stage.

My solely gripe concerning the Goal is that it doesn’t are available a wider vary of calibers. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a high-quality competitors cartridge, nevertheless it’s hardly the one one, and the .308 isn’t designed for these high-BC bullets that buck the wind at lengthy distance. A .308 can get the job performed, however I’d like to see the Ace Goal in a 6mm Creedmoor or 7mm PRC.

Nonetheless, a half-MOA gun out of the field is the form of factor earlier generations of hunters and sport shooters might solely dream about. Primarily based on different reviews of the Ace I’ve seen, I feel you’ll be able to anticipate the identical if you happen to resolve to drag the set off and order one among your personal.

The Ace Goal combines that stellar accuracy with wonderful ergonomics and a snug capturing expertise. Particularly with a MeatEater Banish suppressor hooked up to the 5/8×24 threaded muzzle, the rifle’s 10+ kilos of weight management recoil and make the rifle extraordinarily nice to shoot. It won’t be the form of factor you wish to lug across the backcountry, however it might excel in any situation that didn’t require a lot transport and during which a hunter might get right into a steady place from a bipod or tripod. I had my 10-year-old son shoot the Ace whereas he was with me on the vary, and although the massive, black rifle seemed extra intimidating than his standard steady of .22’s, he reported zero discomfort firing at 300 and 400-yard targets.

I typically learn evaluations of a rifle I’m testing simply to see what others’ experiences have been. I don’t all the time agree with the consensus, however on this case, I do. One reviewer stated the Ace Recreation is essentially the most correct 6.5 Creedmoor he’s ever shot, and I’d say the identical concerning the Ace Goal in .308 Win. This factor simply shoots, plain and easy. There’s actually no increased reward, and I would not be stunned to see Ace rifles popping up on the competitors circuit very quickly.